Toy glider

ABSTRACT

A toy glider having an improved form of wing construction is disclosed. The glider is made from initially flat sheet stock which is expanded polystyrene. In one embodiment the body and wing are integral while in another the body and wing are separate. In each case the semispans of the wing are provided with score lines and V-notches and when in operative form, the edges of the V-notches are held together so as to give washout twist to the semispans. A shape-holding, rigidifying and balanceproviding metal strip is employed, being positioned between folded-over strips along the leading edges of the semispans and the body, and the overlying portions thereof.

0 United States Patent [1 1 [111 3,729,862 Halsey 1 May 1, 1973 TOY GLIDER Primary Examiner-Hugh R. Chamblee Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold [76] lnvemor' g tz g f' gs gi Riggs Attorney-Edward Taylor Newton et al.

[22] Filed: Apr. 1972 [57] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 240,944

A toy glider having an improved form of wing construction is disclosed. The glider is made from initially flat sheet stock which is expanded polystyrene. In one embodiment the body and wing are integral while in another the body and wing are separate. In each case the semispans of the wing are provided with score lines and V-notches and when in operative form, the edges of the V-notches are held together so as to give washout twist to the semispans. A shape-holding, rigidifying and balance-providing metal strip is employed, being positioned between folded-over strips along the leading edges of the semispans and the body, and the overlying portions thereof.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures TOY GLIDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In my prior US. Pat. No. 3,576,086, Apr. 27, 1971, a toy glider is disclosed which embodies a wing with a negative angle of incidence, a low aspect ratio, is highly cambered, and has washout twist which operates very stably just above stalling speed. As a result, the glider is particularly well suited for use indoors since low gliding speed coupled with light weight yields an almost harmless amount of momentum. The body and wing of the glider are integrally formed and a separate horizontal stabilizer is provided, all made of expanded polystyrene.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to improvements in my above patent wherein the glider is fabricated from flat sheet stock;is.easily assembled, and provides an extremely rugged assembly, all without sacrificing the excellent flying characteristics of the glider according to my prior patent.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of wing for toy gliders wherein the requisite aerodynamic characteristics are obtained from an initially flat sheet, the shape and consequent aerodynamic characteristics being achieved by virtue of a score line and notch configuration on each semispan of the wing. The arrangement is such as to provide a crown or peak in each semispan located adjacent the tip and toward the trailing edge of each such semispan.

With such construction it is possible to form the wing from sheet stock, either as a separate entity or as an integral part of the body.

To provide weight balance for the structure and, as well, to effect shape retention and rigidification, a bendable metal strip is provided.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in assembled state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the components of the assembly in exploded relationship and in partially unfolded state;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the invention embodied in FIGS. 1 and 2 and showing the fuselage, wing and tail portions in the flat as it would be stamped from a sheet of suitable material with lines depicting where the folds are placed after stamping;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective of a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the invention embodied in FIG. 4 showing the fuselage, wing and tail portions in the flat as it would be stamped from a sheet of suitable material with lines depicting where the folds are placed after stamping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As reference to FIG. 1 will show, the embodiment of the toy glider shown therein includes a body portion indicated generally by the reference character which is provided, at its rearward portion, with a horizontal stabilizer indicated generally by the reference character 12 and, at its forward end, with wind semispans indicated generally by the reference characters 14 and 16. It is a particular feature of the present invention that each of the wind semispans 14 and 16 are provided with peaks or crowns which are located adjacent the tips of the semispans and near the trailing edges thereof, substantially as is shown in FIG. 1. To form this configuration, each semispan is creased along a line of fold or a score line such as that indicated by the reference character 18 and, as well, along a second score line such as that indicated by the reference character 20. These score lines 18 and 20 intersect at a point 22 located near the tip of the relevant semispan and just forwardly of the trailing edge 24 thereof and, as will hereinafter appear, the divergent edges of a V- notch are brought together and held and secured in juxtaposition along the line 24 so as to cause the peaking or crowning of the semispan in each case as hereinbefore mentioned and as achieved by virtue of the creasing along the intersecting score lines 18 and 20.

The relationship of the V-notches with respect to the score lines 18 and 20 is illustrated perhaps better in FIG. 2, the V-notches being indicated therein generally by the reference characters 28 and 30 and in each case showing the opposite side edges 32 and 34 thereof which extend from the point of :intersection 22 rearwardly to the trailing edge 26 of each semispan. To hold the assembly in final condition as is shown in FIG. 1, the edges 32 and 34 may simply be blued together or, conveniently, a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive tape may be overlapped across the joint both on the upper and lower surfaces of the wing semispans but, in any event, the assembled relationship is such as the edges 32 and 34 are disposed in close proximity substantially as is shown in FIG. 1.

The geometric portions 36, 38 and 40 of each semispan result from the peaking arrangement previously described, each of such geometric portions being planar and the three of them cooperatively producing washout twist for each wing semispan and, as well, to provide a negative angle of incidence for the wing such as provides the requisite aerodynamic characteristics allowing the glider to fly stably at speeds just above stall speed. This taken in conjunction with the extremely light weight characteristics of the entire construction allows the toy to be flown within confined spaces. As a matter of fact, the user may, as he becomes skillful in flying the glider, cause the glider to perform many acrobatic tricks and flying maneuvers within an extremely small and confined area or space.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the body portion and semispans are initially formed from flat sheet stock having the peripheral outline as indicated in FIG. 3. In addition to the planar portions 36, 38 and 40 of the wing semispans as created by the score lines 18 and 20 and the V-notches 28 and 30 thereof, the body portion 10 is provided with a longitudinally extending score line 42 and score lines 44 and 46 on either side thereof and at the root portions of the semispans 14 and 16. The rearward portion of the body 10 is bulbous to provide increased bending strength and, for this purpose, the outline in this region is arcuate as indicated by the reference characters 48 and 50. Across the forward end of the wind and body construction, there is provided a transverse fold line having portions 52 and 54 across the semispans M and 11d and as a continuation therebetween, a slit 56 is provided across the forward end of the body, the purpose of which will be presently apparent. in addition, a slot 58 is provided at the forward extremity of the body portion intersecting and extending rearwardly from the flit 56, as shown.

The score lines 52 and 54 provided bands or strips 60 and 62 at the forward edges of the semispans l4 and 116 and rectangular areas 64 and 66 at the forward extremity of the body portion. W hen the device is assembled, the score lines 52 and 54 provide the leading edges 68 of the semispans, as shown in lFlG. l, and the strip portions 60 and 62, being folded under, provide the lower surfaces at the forward or leading portions of the wing semispans and which diverge slightly from the upper surface portions of the semispans.

In addition, each semispan is provided with an additional pair of score lines 7(8) and 72 which intersect at a common point on the respective fold or score lines 52 and 54, as shown in FIG. 3, and the opposing triangular faces 74 and 76 are disposed in face-to-face juxtaposition when the device is assembled by virtue of the tucking in of these portions as is illustrated in FIG. 2. To retain the faces 74 and 76 in such position, they may either be adhesively secured together or, as before, a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive material may be utilized over the thus bevelled forward corners of the semispans.

The purpose of the slit 56 and of the slot 58 is to allow the forward section of the body to be pinched in slightly so as to avoid excessive stress on the rectangular portion 64 and 66 when same are folded under in the fashion indicated in FlG. 2 particularly inasmuch as the V-shaped body portion 718 of a metal strip 80 is positioned in overlying relation to the portion 64 and .66 and beneath the forward end of the body portion 10.

The strip 80 initially is flat and is folded in its V-shaped body portion 78 to shape the body into V section and the extensions %2 and 8d of the strip are angulated so as properly to position the semispans id and 116 with relation to each other and to the body portion Ill). The metal strip is positioned in the assembly such that the forward edges of the extensions 82 and lid lie just inside the folds at the leading edges of the semispans and, as a result, the metal strip not only serves as a weight balancing assembly for the glider but it also shapes the body and the winds and additionally provides a rigidifying member at the forward end of the body and the root leading edge portions of the semispans where they otherwise would be most prone to damage as for example when the glider striices an obstacle.

Obviously, the metal strip 80 may be secured in place as by adhesive or, as before, strips of pressure sensitive adhesive tape material may be utilized to hold it in position.

A further weighting member 86 may be provided as shown, same being positioned in the notch of the body as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The rearward end of the body portion M) is provided with convergent notchings Sid and 90 which, when the body is disposed in V-shape, extend somewhat forwardly and downwardly as indicated in H6. 2 and these notches cooperatively receive portions of the horizontal stabilizer I12 immediately behind the respective notches 94 and 96 therein serving to maintain the stabilizer at a negative angle of incidence as will be evident from FIG. ii. The trapazoidal tongue 98 between the notches 94 and 96 of the stabilizer serves to rigidify and retain the V-shape configuration at the rearward end of the body portion 10 whereas the various notches 88, 90, 94 and 96 serve effectively to connect the stabilizer to the body portion and retain it in proper position with respect thereto.

From the above description, it will be evident that proper washout twist of the wing semispans is achieved by virtue of the peaking as described while, at the same time, allowing the entire body and wing assembly to be cut from a single sheet of flat stock. The stock preferably is expanded polystyrene but may be of any suitable material preferably having low density to provide a light weight configuration for the glider.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the stabilizer 12 is formed in identical fashion as is described hereinabove as is the rearward portion of the body 100 which accepts the stabilizer but, in the modification as shown, the wing assembly is formed separately from the body portion i100 and is attached separately thereto in a manner hereinafter described. Similarly to the configuration of the wing semispans as described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 3, the semispans of the wing of FIGS. 4 and 5 are provided with the score lines 102 and 104 which extend diagonally rearwardly from a point or points closely adjacent the root of the semispans adjacent or at the leading edges thereof to the respective points 106 and 108 whereat the V-shaped notches 110 and 1 12 are formed and from which the score lines 114 and 1 16 extend forwardly toward the leading edges of the semispans, substantially as is shown. A transverse score line 118 is provided, as described hereinbefore in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3 and, as well, the forward corner constructions at 120 and 122 are the same as previously described. However, on either side of the longitudinal bisecting score line 124 of the wing assembly, there are provided the pair of openings 126 and 128 which, when the wing is folded along the score line 118, form the forwardly facing notches 130 and 132 as shown in FIG. 4 and, additionally, notches 134 and 136 are provided in the trailing edge of the wing assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5. The body 100 is provided with the longitudinally extending score or fold line 138 and its central section 140 is cut away as shown and provided with the notches 142 and 144 at the rearward end and the notches 146 and 148 at the forward end cooperatively interdigitate with the notches 13f) 132, 134 and 1136 positively to secure the wing with relation to the body.

The forward end of the body 100 is provided with a pair of transverse score lines 150 and 152 for double folding thereof in zig zag fashion and the openings 154 and 156 are folded in half and aligned with the notches 146 and 148 so that when the wing is in place, the forward end folded section of the body is held properly in place and needs no further securement.

A slightly Vd metal strip 160 is positioned between the under folded forward strip of the wing which forms the lower surface thereof and the overlying upper surface of the wing and is secured suitably in the fold crease so as to hold the proper shape of the wing and otherwise to rigidify the assembly and provide for weight balance thereof. A balance weight 162 may also be provided similar to the configuration described in conjunction with FIGS. l-3.

What is claimed is: 1. A toy glider comprising, in combination: an elongate body portion; a horizontal stabilizer attached to the rearward end of said body portion; and a wing structure at the forward end of said body portion, said wing structure comprising like semispans, each having a substantially straight leading edge extending perpendicular to the axis of the body portion and each formed of initially flat sheet stock, each semispan also including a strip folded under at the leading edge and defining a wing lower surface portion, each semispan having I a score line extending diagonally backward commencing from adjacent its leading edge in the root region thereof and extending to a point spaced inwardly of the semispan tip and forwardly of the trailing edge thereof, each semispan having a second score line extending from adjacent the leading edge of said tip to said point and there being a V-shaped notch having its apex at said point and presenting opposite, divergent sides extending therefrom to the trailing edge of the semispan; and

means for positioning and holding said divergent sides of each notch in close proximity to each other so as to crease said semispans along their score lines and establish washout twist for each semispan.

2. A toy glider as defined in claim 1 wherein each semispan merges integrally with said body portion, said body portion being V-shaped and initially formed of flat sheet stock.

3. A toy glider as defined in claim 2 including a strip of metal disposed between the upper and lower surfaces of said wing and shaped to hold said body portion in V-shape and said semispans in selected angular relation to said body portion.

4. A toy glider as defined in claim 3 wherein said body portion is provided with a transverse slit adjacent the forward end thereof to provide a strip joining those strips folded under at the leading edges of said semispans, said strip of metal having a V-shaped portion disposed between said body strip and the overlying portion of the body.

5. The toy glider as defined in claim 1 wherein each semispan is provided with an additional pair of score lines intersecting at a point on the line of fold of its strip adjacent the semispan tip and diverging therefrom to said tip, and means for positioning and holding the upper surface areas defined between saidadditional pair of score lines and said line of fold in tucked-in face-to-face juxtaposition.

6; A toy glider as defined in claim 1 wherein said wing structure is formed by integral semispans and said body portion is separated therefrom.

7. A toy glider as defined in claim 6 wherein said semispans are provided with pairs of notches at their leading and trailing edges, said body portion including a center section of V-shape and having facing notches receiving the leading and trailing edges of said wing structure adjacent the notches therein.

. A toy glider as defined in claim 7 including a V- shaped strip reinforcing and shaping said wing structure within the fold at the leading edge thereof.

9.'The toy glider as defined in claim 6 wherein each semispan is provided with an additional pair of score lines intersecting at a point on the line of fold of its strip adjacent the semispan tip and diverging therefrom to said tip, and means for positioning and holding the upper surface areas defined between said additional pair of score lines and said line of fold in tucked-in, face-to-face juxtaposition.

10. A toy glider as defined in claim 6 including a V- shaped strip of material reinforcing and shaping said wing structure within the fold at the leading edge thereof. 

1. A toy glider comprising, in combination: an elongate body portion; a horizontal stabilizer attached to the rearward end of said body portion; and a wing structure at the forward end of said body portion, said wing structure comprising like semispans, each having a substantially straight leading edge extending perpendicular to the axis of the body portion and each formed of initially flat sheet stock, each semispan also including a strip folded under at the leading edge and defining a wing lower surface portion, each semispan having a score line extending diagonally backward commencing from adjacent its leading edge in the root region thereof and extending to a point spaced inwardly of the semispan tip and forwardly of the trailing edge thereof, each semispan having a second score line extending from adjacent the leading edge of said tip to said point and there being a Vshaped notch having its apex at said point and presenting opposite, divergent sides extending therefrom to the trailing edge of the semispan; and means for positioning and holding said divergent sides of each notch in close proximity to each other so as to crease said semispans along their score lines and establish washout twist for each semispan.
 2. A toy glider as defined in claim 1 wherein each semispan merges integrally with said body portion, said body portion being V-shaped and initially formed of flat sheet stock.
 3. A toy glider as defined in claim 2 including a strip of metal disposed between the upper and lower surfaces of said wing and shaped to hold said body Portion in V-shape and said semispans in selected angular relation to said body portion.
 4. A toy glider as defined in claim 3 wherein said body portion is provided with a transverse slit adjacent the forward end thereof to provide a strip joining those strips folded under at the leading edges of said semispans, said strip of metal having a V-shaped portion disposed between said body strip and the overlying portion of the body.
 5. The toy glider as defined in claim 1 wherein each semispan is provided with an additional pair of score lines intersecting at a point on the line of fold of its strip adjacent the semispan tip and diverging therefrom to said tip, and means for positioning and holding the upper surface areas defined between said additional pair of score lines and said line of fold in tucked-in, face-to-face juxtaposition.
 6. A toy glider as defined in claim 1 wherein said wing structure is formed by integral semispans and said body portion is separated therefrom.
 7. A toy glider as defined in claim 6 wherein said semispans are provided with pairs of notches at their leading and trailing edges, said body portion including a center section of V-shape and having facing notches receiving the leading and trailing edges of said wing structure adjacent the notches therein.
 8. A toy glider as defined in claim 7 including a V-shaped strip reinforcing and shaping said wing structure within the fold at the leading edge thereof.
 9. The toy glider as defined in claim 6 wherein each semispan is provided with an additional pair of score lines intersecting at a point on the line of fold of its strip adjacent the semispan tip and diverging therefrom to said tip, and means for positioning and holding the upper surface areas defined between said additional pair of score lines and said line of fold in tucked-in, face-to-face juxtaposition.
 10. A toy glider as defined in claim 6 including a V-shaped strip of material reinforcing and shaping said wing structure within the fold at the leading edge thereof. 